Peach tree ‘Super Zee’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Hanford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Fruit ripening in the very early maturity season.   2. Fruit with an attractive red skin color.   3. Having a low winter chilling requirement of approximately 150 to 200 hours at or below 45° F.   4. Vigorous, upright growth of the tree.   5. A productive and regular bearer of medium size fruit.   6. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree (Prunus persica) was originated and asexually reproduced byus in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County,Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, ‘Desert Gold’ Peach (non-patented) and ‘Snow Angel’Peach (application Ser. No. 10/355,917).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.as an open pollinated peach seedling from seed collected from ourproprietary seedling ‘61ZB9’. The proprietary seedling (61ZB9)originated as an open pollinated seedling from seed of ‘Snow Angel’Peach (application Ser. No. 10/355,917). A large number of these openpollinated peach seedlings were grown and budded to older ‘Nemaguard’Rootstock (non-patented) to accelerate rapid fruit production forevaluation. Under close and careful evaluation we recognized thedesirable fruit characteristics of the present early maturing varietyand selected it in 2002 for further asexual propagation andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and its fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of largesize, upright in growth and a productive and regular bearer of mediumsize, firm, yellow flesh fruit with good flavor and eating quality. Thefruit is further characterized by ripening in the very early maturityseason, having an attractive red skin color, the flesh being moderatelyjuicy with a mild acid flavor. The tree having a low winter chillingrequirement of approximately 150 to 200 hours at or below 45° F. Incomparison to the low winter chilling variety ‘Desert Gold’ Peach(non-patented), has a lower chilling requirement of approximately 150hours, has fruit with firmer flesh, larger in size and is approximately30 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its grandparent ‘SnowAngel’ Peach (Plant patent application Ser. No. 10/355,917), the newvariety is approximately 14 days earlier in maturity and has yellowflesh compared to white flesh.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, 5 years of age, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of a 5 year old specimen grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large. Normal for most varieties of peach trees.            Pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height for economical            harvesting of fruit. Average spread 3 meters. Average height            3.5 meters, varies with different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies slightly with fertility, type            of soil and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive. Normal fruit thinning and spacing            necessary for desirable market size fruit. Fruit set varies            with climatic conditions at bloom time.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 3 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense. Pruning to vase shape desirable for            sunlight penetration to enhance fruit color and keep fruit            wood healthy.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Winter chilling requirement approximately 150 to            200 hours at or below 45° F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average circumference 58.4 cm at 20.4 cm above            ground on a 5 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age of            tree.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 3/4 to 2.5Y 6/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average lateral branch length 2 to 2.5 feet.            Average circumference 21.7 cm at 1.2 meters above ground.            Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases with heavy crop            load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 29 in a 25.8 square cm area.            Average length 3.2 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color varies            from 7.5YR 5/8 to 10YR 6/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2/5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 5/6. Mature            growth varies from 2.5YR 4/4 to 2.5YR 3/4, varies with age            of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 124.5 mm. Average            width 30.9 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly            indented over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface            relatively smooth, small ridges created by midrib and            pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Medium. Average length 9.6 mm. Average width            1.2 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Both upper and lower            surfaces glabrous. Color varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 6/8.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Small. Average length 0.6 mm.            Average diameter 0.3 mm. Average number 1, varies from 1            to 2. Located primarily on base of leaf blade and upper            portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY 6/6 to 7.5GY 4/2.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 5GY 3/4. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 5/4 to 5GY 4/4. Midvein color varies            from 2.5Y 8/4 to 2.5Y 8.5/4.        -   Venation.—Pinnately veined.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 16.4 mm. Average diameter 10.2            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated just before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 3.6 mm. Average width 1.0 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 6/12 to 5RP 8/6.-   Flowers:    -   -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 18.8 mm. Average diameter            29.5 mm.        -   Petals.—Number 5, alternatively arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 17.3 mm. Average width 17.6 mm. Form —            orbicular. Margin — sinuate, slightly cupped. Color both            upper and lower surfaces varies from 5RP 7/8 to 5RP 8/6,            fades with age of flower.        -   Sepals.—Number 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            medium. Average length 5.4 mm. Average width 5.1 mm. Shape —            ovate, apex rounded. Margin — entire. Color — lower surface            varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5R 3/4, pubescent. Upper surface            varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY, glabrous.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower — 44. Average filament            length 14.0 mm. Filament color varies from N 9.5/ (white) to            2.5RP 9/2. Anther color varies from 5R 4/10 to 7.5R 4/10.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/8 to 2.5Y            7/10.        -   Pistil.—Normally one. Surface — pubescent. Average length            16.9 mm. Position of the stigma even in height with anthers.            Color varies from 2.5GY 9/6 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Slight.        -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Jan. 28, 2005. Date of            Petal Fall Feb. 10, 2005, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 7/8 to 5RP 8/6.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—One.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.5 mm. Average width 1.0 mm. Color            varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Apr. 26, 2005.        -   Date of last picking.—May 2, 2005, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium. Average diameter axially 56.7 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 60.9 mm. Average weight 119.3            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Varies from slight tip to slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.        -   Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 3.3 mm. Average diameter 12.5 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 8.6 mm. Average diameter 2.7            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 2.5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Firmness.—Firm, firmer than most early maturing standard            varieties.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Texture.—Firm, holds firm well for very early maturing            variety.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Good.        -   Flavor.—Good.        -   Juice.—Moderate, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 9.6°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8/8 to 5Y 8/8. Pit cavity varies            from 2.5Y 6/8 to 2.5Y 6/10.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Down.—Pubescent, moderate amount.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 5Y 9/4 to 7.5Y 9/4. Nearly            overspread with 5R 4/10 to 7.5R 4/8.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—None.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 30 mm. Average width 24.1 mm.            Average thickness 21.1 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Usually flat, varies from flat to rounded.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length of point 0.3 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from rounded to            elongated. Stone surface not as hard as later maturing            varieties.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side slightly larger, extending further            from suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth with wide surface, extending from            base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—Slight to moderate internal stone splits.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 7/8 to 7.5YR 6/8.-   Kernal:    -   -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Viability.—Poor, embryo only partially developed.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 16.4 mm. Average width            9.5 mm. Average depth 4.3 mm.        -   Skin.—Color varies from 2.5Y 9/2 to 5Y 8.5/2.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.    for 2 weeks without internal breakdown or appreciable loss of    flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh    during picking and packing trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of medium size fruitwith good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterizedwith maturing in the very early season, the tree having a low winterchilling requirement of approximately 150 to 200 hours at or below 45°F. and in comparison to ‘Snow Angel’ Peach (Plant patent applicationSer. No. 10/355,917), the new variety is approximately 14 days earlierin maturity and has yellow flesh compared to white flesh.